Travelers en route to the Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge are first treated to a stop in Yellowknife. This vibrant, scenic city in Canada's Northwest Territories serves as the gateway to the Arctic and offers a fantastic variety of activities, both outdoor and urban. Situated on the Canadian Shield and Great Slave Lake (the deepest lake in North America), Yellowknife is known as the aurora borealis viewing capital of the world and is the hub of the region's oil and mining industries.
Photo courtesy of Tim Post, Director, Sales and Client Service at Quark Expeditions.
History buffs will appreciate Yellowknife's rich heritage, reaching back thousands of years to the native Weledeh Dene, Dogrib and North Slavery. Together, these Aboriginal people comprise over 20 percent of the city's small population (under 20,000 residents). If you are spending a few days in the city, expect them to be full! Yellowknife is brimming with cultural and historic attractions. You'll also find an abundance of recreational and adventure opportunities by land, water and air.
Keep in mind the sun shines 24 hours a day in July. Yellowknife's subarctic desert climate temperatures can be nearly as warm as in southern Canada. Pack for any weather and plan to dress in layers. Stroll or bike through Old Town, in Yellowknife's picturesque lakefront district, or visit any number of historic sites and museums, such as Pilot's Monument and The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. For outdoor adventurists, there's hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, and even float plane flying! “Nightlife” under the midnight sun also thrives with dining, dancing, festivals and concerts.
For more information about Yellowknife, go to: http://www.visityellowknife.com.
